Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Why do I stuck live?
- Thread starter kyral210
- Start date
Just get up there, get in it, and let it go, and the more you do it, the less you think about it.
If you're worried about goofing up in front of the crowd forget it: If THEY were any good, they'd be up there instead of you.
If you're worried about goofing up in front of the crowd forget it: If THEY were any good, they'd be up there instead of you.
Let me ask you a question. What is your ratio between notes played well or not played well? Don’t know? Just venturing a guess, most of the your notes are played well and at the right time. Right? If you don’t believe me, record a gig.
Record a gig anyway, then play along with it between gigs. This is your report card. It will not take you long to find problems on these recordings. and work on those. Don’t forget to give yourself a pat on the back for things you do well.
As long as we are human, mistakes are going to happen. That said there is a difference between mistakes and problems. Consistent failures at the same point or something that interrupts the flow of a song those are problems. Once you fix the problems, fewer mistakes will happen.
I hope this helps and best wishes.
For most of us, the cure for performance yips is more practice and more experience. There’s no magic pill, ya gotta pit in the time.
When I have a new song to learn for a Sunday gig, the Monday before that, I have it pretty well memorized. The rest of the week is repetition, to get it solidly into my fingers.
When I have a new song to learn for a Sunday gig, the Monday before that, I have it pretty well memorized. The rest of the week is repetition, to get it solidly into my fingers.
Years ago i played with this guitar player who often said before the gig started: “I’m not going to make any mistakes tonight!” This was a sure fire way to make plenty of mistakes and then beat himself up over it.
Practicing at home has its limits. If you need to teach yourself something very specific, away from the rest of the band, that's what it's good for. Most anything else should be practiced like you'll play it at the gig – i.e. at band practice.
edwinhurwitz
Supporting Member
As Phil Lesh told his band members, there are no mistakes, just opportunities!
Seriously, though, practicing isn't done when you can get through something without a mistake, it is done, well, it's never done, but you know what I mean, when you get get through it every time without a mistake. 10,000 hours and all that.
My best advice for you is to forget about micromanaging your playing when playing live and just connect with the audience and your bandmates. There will be mistakes, but getting into the flow of the music and the audience will ensure that they won't really matter. Oh yeah, hit the wrong notes at the right time!
Seriously, though, practicing isn't done when you can get through something without a mistake, it is done, well, it's never done, but you know what I mean, when you get get through it every time without a mistake. 10,000 hours and all that.
My best advice for you is to forget about micromanaging your playing when playing live and just connect with the audience and your bandmates. There will be mistakes, but getting into the flow of the music and the audience will ensure that they won't really matter. Oh yeah, hit the wrong notes at the right time!
I am the same way sometimes. Seems the easier the song the more I miss.
1. At least you know you miss a note.
2. Don’t stop when you miss a note. I had friend when he missed a note he quit playing.
3. Practice slow, simplify the song a little if necessary. I would rather you simplify opposed to missing a note.
4. Work on calmness and confidence.
1. At least you know you miss a note.
2. Don’t stop when you miss a note. I had friend when he missed a note he quit playing.
3. Practice slow, simplify the song a little if necessary. I would rather you simplify opposed to missing a note.
4. Work on calmness and confidence.
One thing to do is record the gigs. Conditions do vary from practice to rehearsal to gig, such as volume levels and demands on your attention.
Do you look at the fretboard when you practice? That can be a problem if you have to be looking elsewhere while gigging -- at the audience, other band members, etc. Perhaps try practicing in a gig pose, standing up, looking at an imaginary audience.
Can you hear yourself properly on stage? Is it too loud?
Do you look at the fretboard when you practice? That can be a problem if you have to be looking elsewhere while gigging -- at the audience, other band members, etc. Perhaps try practicing in a gig pose, standing up, looking at an imaginary audience.
Can you hear yourself properly on stage? Is it too loud?
This is a great tip, and something I try to do while learning a song; I’ll look around the room so I don’t look back at the chord chart. It’s a helpful skill to be able to stay locked to the sound of the drums while your visual attention changes.
When I moved out west in my early 20’s I joined a punk band and struggled to play fast when in front of a crowd.
I was already a seasoned live player but the adrenaline would make me tighten up. My singer , a pharmacy tech, got me some beta blockers which prevent that adrenaline overload.
I took them for a few shows then no longer needed them.
OP is not nervous he said so that’s maybe not it.
I played with a drummer for many years who would always write his parts at the edge of his abilities. If he got tired or distracted they were unlikely to be played perfectly live.
Are you writing over your ability?
